Staff at a major bank have raised over £350,000 for children’s hospice services across the country by completing a gruelling 900 mile cycle ride from John O’ Groats to Lands End. The LifeCycle event saw Barclays Commercial team up with Children’s Hospices UK, the national charity that provides voice and support to all children’s hospice services to raise the impressive figure.

During LifeCycle the intrepid cyclists from Barclays Commercial visited five children’s hospices along the route to see first hand the vital work children’s hospice services provide to children and young people who are not expected to reach adulthood and their families.

In addition to the epic cycle ride, Barclays Commercial staff across the country organised a variety of fundraising events to raise vital funds including: static bike rides, mini bike rides, quiz nights and silent auctions. LifeCycle engaged over 1,750 Barclays Commercial staff, representing the highest participation in a single charitable project Barclays Commercial has undertaken.

Ian Tetsill, Barclays Commercial said: “LifeCycle has been a huge success and demonstrated a fantastic team effort from all those involved, which included our colleagues, customers, family and friends. The children and families who use children’s hospices were a huge inspiration for all staff involved, helping us to see the direct impact of our fundraising. We are extremely proud with the result.”

Julian Hall, Director of Fundraising for Children’s Hospices UK said: “We are absolutely delighted with the amount raised and Barclays’ enthusiasm and commitment to Children’s Hospices UK. The money raised will make a significant difference to the thousands of families who so desperately need the support provided by their local children’s hospice service.”

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CONTACTS

Rebecca Downey | Communications Assistant | E rebecca@childhospice.org.uk | T 0117 989 7830

EDITOR’S NOTES

Children’s Hospices UK
Children’s Hospices UK is the national charity that gives voice and support to all children’s hospice services. We help children’s hospices to continually enhance the care and support they provide to children and young people who are not expected to reach adulthood and their families. We raise awareness of the range of services provided by children’s hospices and fundraise to help them to continue to provide their services for free. We also campaign and lobby on behalf of children’s hospices, ensuring their voice is heard by government. For more information visit our web site at www.childhospice.org.uk

Barclays
Barclays Matched Fundraising programme is part of our Charity begins at work scheme. It is a vital component of Barclays Global community investment programme. At its heart is the desire to engage and support our colleagues to get involved with the causes they care about most. We want to harness their energy, time and skills because we know they have a huge amount to give and gain by being involved.

Over the last five years Barclays people have raised over £60 million for their favourite charities with our help and matched fundraising.